City awarded grant to support Star Village

RAPID CITY, SD—Rapid City is one of 16 communities nationwide selected for a ‘Love Your Block’ grant by Johns Hopkins University.  The University announced the national selections earlier today.

The grant for $100,000 is awarded to the City of Rapid City and will be used to support neighborhood revitalization efforts in the Star Village area of Rapid City.  The grant is for two years and provides for the hiring of two individuals who will provide on-the-ground support of neighborhood initiative efforts planned by the Rapid City Police Department’s Outreach Team.

“The City is pleased to have been selected among sixteen communities nationwide for a ‘Love Your Block’ grant,” said Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun. “This will be a great opportunity to utilize resources in the Star Village neighborhood and build on collaborations and partnerships with community groups on neighborhood-driven, priority projects that will enhance the quality of life for Star Village residents and families. 

“We look forward to seeing these projects identified, developed and put into action with positive results.”

Rapid City is among 16 communities receiving ‘Love Your Block’ grants from Johns Hopkins University.  Other communities receiving grants include Baltimore, Dallas, Reno, Long Beach, Little Rock, Charleston and Louisville. 

“Rapid City is one of the smallest communities to be selected for a grant so this is very welcome news,” said Jamie Kirsch, project manager for the Rapid City Police Department. “This grant will put trained personnel on the ground to work with residents and community groups to address neighborhood challenges and issues. It would be similar in scope to the hard work and dedicated efforts underway in the north Rapid area.

“Community participation in public safety strategies is critical to countering issues with violent crime and establishing safe neighborhoods.”

Johns Hopkins University terms the Love Your Block Program as a high-impact service strategy that connects city leaders with community residents to help revitalize their neighborhoods one block at a time. The program was launched in 2009 with programs initiated in 58 cities nationwide prior to the 2024 selection of cities.

Since 2009, Johns Hopkins University indicates over 3,500 community spaces have been revitalized through the work of more than 26,000 community members. Initiatives have included development of art displays, removal of nearly 100,000 square feet of graffiti and millions of pounds of trash, among other efforts.

citiesofservice.jhu.edu/resource/love-your-block/ 

 

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